Liverpool brush aside Accrington Stanley 4-0 in FA Cup third round

LIVERPOOL – Liverpool eased past League Two side Accrington Stanley, as Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first-half goals and strikes from Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa after the break secured a 4-0 win in their FA Cup third-round clash on Jan 11.

While it was a short trip south to Liverpool for fourth-tier Accrington, the gulf in quality between the teams was apparent as the spirited visitors, despite their best efforts, failed to keep the English Premier League and Champions League leaders at bay.

“They offered a lot and first-team football is tough and they’re big lads, but it was a good challenge,” the 18-year-old Danns told ITV.

All three of the teenager’s Liverpool goals have come in the FA Cup, including two last season against Southampton.

Reds boss Arne Slot added: “Credit to them (Accrington). I think they showed their style of play, which is a big compliment.

“In the end, of course, the difference in quality makes a big difference.”

The hosts took the lead when Alexander-Arnold sent Darwin Nunez up the right just before the half-hour mark as Liverpool countered after an Accrington free kick.

The Uruguayan crossed to Jota in the box who scored with a tap-in.

Liverpool doubled their advantage just before the break, as Alexander-Arnold netted with a perfectly placed shot from outside the box into the top corner.

Said Slot: “He did not have his best game against Manchester United (a 2-2 draw) and everybody fell over him. At least it seems like that. But for the rest of the season, he’s been so good for us.

“So I liked his performance a lot and the performance when he came in against Tottenham (Hotspur in the League Cup). And I liked the reaction of the fans at Tottenham and today as well.”

The 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who made history as the youngest player to start a Liverpool competitive match, also shone, particularly with his willingness to take on players.

Said Slot: “Ngumoha did well. There were a few moments where the fans could see why we think he’s a talent.

“He’s really good in one-v-one situations and can change direction really fast.

“We saw it a bit more in the first half than the second half. It was nice for him to make his debut and get the win.

“He had a few very good actions where the fans reacted as well. A nice and special day for him.”

Ngumoha was replaced in the 72nd minute by Danns, who netted four minutes later, when Billy Crellin’s save from Chiesa fell to the Liverpool-born forward.

Forward Chiesa then got his name on the scoresheet in the 90th minute by firing into the bottom corner, after an earlier shot hit the woodwork, marking the Italian’s first goal for Liverpool.

Nunez’s early misses from inside the box had prolonged Liverpool’s wait for a breakthrough, as he failed to connect with Harvey Elliott’s headed cross and shot wide when Everton loanee Crellin’s stop to deny Alexander-Arnold fell to him.

Accrington, who had no shots on target in the first half, almost got a goal back in the 57th minute but Josh Woods’ shot rattled the crossbar at Anfield, the stadium where his father used to work as a match-day steward.

“It was surreal. I was trying to enjoy it and stay relaxed. First half I was a bit nervous, but in the second half I was more relaxed,” Woods said.

Shaun Whalley found Donald Love unmarked in the Liverpool box eight minutes later but the Scottish defender headed over the bar as Accrington, who had just 21 per cent possession in the match, failed to apply any tangible pressure on the hosts.

Whalley joked: “Donald Love should have scored, shouldn’t he? I wanted the assist but it wasn’t to be...

“It was just an incredible moment for us all, I want it to happen again now!”

His manager John Doolan added: “I enjoyed the opening 20 minutes. We wish we had a bit of luck, but they’re world-class players.

“To concede from a free kick and to counter like they do, you have to hold your hands up and take your punishment.

“You want a response and I thought the response was OK until you have a world-class player like Trent step up and put one in the top corner. We will lick our wounds and go again.”

Liverpool next visit third-placed Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Jan 14. REUTERS